• Center Robert Lang played for the Canadiens last season, recording 18 goals and 39 points in 50 games before an injury.

• Coyotes center Matthew Lombardi is a Montreal native.

The Coyotes (10-7) are coming off a four-day break, and the Canadiens (8-10) are coming off a 1-0 loss to Calgary on Tuesday night. And for the Pyatt brothers, it could be a night neither forgets.

"It's exciting," Taylor Pyatt said. "He's younger, and I'm really looking forward to it. For him to get an opportunity to play with that organization, such a great history . . . I know he was real nervous before the first home game."

Doan has scored two goals in his latest go-rounds with his cousin, but the Canadiens have won both times. Doan said the goals don't really matter, and he's not happy that his younger cousin retains the bragging rights.

Lang joined the Coyotes and had to work himself into top shape in the final stages of his comeback from surgery on a severed Achilles' tendon.

"I assume it will be a quick-paced game," he said. "They like to clog it up in the neutral zone on the other hand, so it should be a good game."

He is not familiar with new head coach Jacques Martin but figures the Canadiens will be in a defensive-minded posture and skate hard without the puck. "It's up to us to stick to our game plan," he said.

Lombardi watched the Canadiens quite a bit growing up and watched as his boyhood heroes won their last Stanley Cup championship in 1993, the last time a Canadian team won the trophy.

"You dream about it as a kid, if you want to play in the NHL, it's a dream about playing for the Canadiens because it's so special (playing) in front of family and friends," he said.

"I feel it's all special when I got back to Montreal and play in the hometown. Here in Phoenix, it's special because they have such a following, and we'll see a lot of Montreal fans out that. It's the history that they bring with them."

Ice chips

Defenseman Ed Jovanovski (lower body), who was injured a week ago, was not expected to be in the lineup.

• Fans in the East Valley can get shuttle service and discounted game tickets ($20 upper level, $30 lower level) for upcoming games, beginning Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Pickup points are the ASU main campus (lot 16) and the Gila River Wild Horse Pass Casino (casino entrance), departing 90 minutes before the game. Return trips are 20 minutes after the game. Additional information: